La Bajada/Trinity Groves - Dallas, TX

La Bajada, which means "coming down the hill" in Spanish, began its genesis as a residential suburb of Dallas in the 1850s,which coincided with an influx of French and Swiss immigrants. Subsequently in the mid-1930's, the area experienced an influx of individuals of Mexican descent. Before being annexed by Dallas in 1954, the neighborhood experienced a partial transition from residential to industrial. The RSR Corporation based one of its lead smelting plants slightly west of the Trinity River within the La Bajada neighborhood.

This area of Dallas is the focus of revitalization and economic growth and has become a popular attraction to locals due to its rich ethnic history and multicultural bistros. La Bajada sits only a few minutes' drive from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the Majestic Theater and the once-a-month MidTown ARTwalk, which promotes the work of local artists.

La Bajada residents have convenient access to Trinity Groves, one of Dallas' most popular bistro-districts. Trinity Groves houses a variety of night-time and entertainment venues the whole family can enjoy. Whether you prefer Chinese food, Italian gourmet in a contemporary setting or barbecue and blues, Trinity Groves has something for everyone.

For a change of pace, try some Moroccan food at Souk Moroccan Bistro & Bazaar. Start off with some tomato, lentil and chickpea soup (harira) or sardine meatballs with vegetables (sawira tagine) before moving on to a bake phyllo pie with braised duck. Tuck away this fantastic Moroccan cuisine while you enjoy authentic Moroccan music and belly dancing with family and friends.

While most people have dug into plates of traditional Chinese-American cuisine, Chino Chinatown on Gulden Lane serves up unique Chinese-style fusion fare. Begin your exotic meal with a chicken lollipop garnished with agave and Thai chili or a grilled tilapia taco. Move on to ahi tuna nachos or Korean steak fajitas. Don't forget to save room for dessert because Chino Chinatown makes a heavenly piña colada upside-down cake doused with a salted rum caramel.

After dinner, beer lovers mosey on over to LUCK for one of its craft beers. LUCK stocks more than 40 different beers, ciders and malts, all of varying alcohol levels. Several times a month, LUCK runs "Pint-Night" promotions during which the establishment showcases a selected beer and provides pints of the cold brew at a special price. Stop by, try one of the in-house beers and kick back in a rustic Southern setting as you chat with your friends.

Another favorite after-dinner entertainment spot, Sambuca on McKinney Avenue features live music every night of the week. Many Dallas professionals head to this popular joint after work to unwind with friends. On Friday and Saturday nights, Sambuca hosts a dance party with a live band that pumps out the latest tunes. This club also provides private rooms for parties and events.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit maintains bus routes throughout La Bajada. Taxis can be easily hailed in the Trinity Groves area of the neighborhood. Uber also provides service to the district. Businesses and restaurants in La Bajada provide free parking for their clients should one care to shop or dine out. Since the neighborhood lies less than a mile from Route 35E, residents can conveniently hop on the highway to take a quick trip to another part of Texas. While no designated biking lanes exist in the neighborhood, the relatively slow pace of traffic on the smaller roads and streets within this district allows for safe transit by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Several parks and lakes dot the La Bajada neighborhood. Pet owners often frequent the no-fee Fish Trap Lake Park Loop Trail with their canine friends. Fitness buffs use this trail for walking, jogging and bicycling. Families and sports enthusiasts may also want to give Bachman Lake Park a try. This 205-acre park contains hiking and biking trails with 16 exercise stations, picnic areas, boat rentals, an indoor aquatic center and a children's playground. This park also hosts annual running and boating events that provide for great family entertainment.

Due to its increasing popularity, La Bajada has become an expensive area to live in. The average rental rate of a one-bedroom apartment sits at $1,475 per month. This is nearly double the rental price within Dallas proper. Should you need to take a bus to the downtown area, plan on spending $2.50 for a local pass or $5.00 for an all-day unlimited pass. A cold beer in a neighborhood bistro sets you back $5 and a gallon of gas at one of the local stations cost you 9 percent below the national average.

West Dallas has a lot of different venues for shopping. Northpark Center and Galleria Dallas house many of the larger high-end chain stores, however smaller boutiques can be encountered throughout this part of the city. Ladies preparing for that big day head to Lulu's Bridal Boutique. Located in the Design District, Lulu's prides itself on one-of-a-kind bridal gowns and personalized customer service. Lulu's carries wedding dresses from $200 to $20,000.

Women in search of reasonably priced clothing and accessories enjoy the Epiphany Boutique. This family owned and operated establishment stocks tops, bottoms and dresses. Ladies can choose the latest fashions and designs in their favorite colors and also get matching jewelry and accessories at the same time.

Many La Bajada residents shop at Minyard's Grocery Store for fresh meat, fish and produce. If you prefer organic goodies, stroll through the Dallas Farmers Market on South Pearl Expressway. Dozens of local farmers sell their fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and plants here seven days per week.